The Cambodian Ministry of Commerce has indicated that milled-rice exports during the first quarter of the year were almost 50% higher than they were during the same period last year. Milled rice exports between January and March amounted to a total of 38,409 MTS, compared to the 25,784 MTS that was exported in the first quarter of 2011. The Secretary of State at the country’s Ministry of Commerce, Mao Thora, suggested that continued investment in milling facilities has been the main reason behind the increase. Total milled rice exports last year reached around 170,000 MTS, although this figure only represents shipments and doesn’t include a significant amount of border trade to Thailand and Vietnam.Cambodia is believed to be close to signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Philippines which would mean Cambodia would be included on the list of qualified countries able to offer in any future National Food Authority (NFA) tenders. The Agreement comes amid rumours that The Philippines is set to tender for 120,000 MTS of rice by the second week of May. Thailand and Vietnam are currently the only two countries who qualify to offer in NFA tenders and if the Agreement is completed, it would provide a boost to the Cambodian Government’s aim of being able to export 1 million MTS of rice by 2015. The Government has also recently formed the Alliance of Rice Producers and Exporters of Cambodia (ARPEC), as part of further efforts to develop the country’s rice industry.